Stephen Miller: Federal Agents Possibly Deviated from Protocol Preceding Minneapolis Shooting
In recent statements, Stephen Miller, a senior aide to former President Trump, raised questions about the conduct of federal agents before the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Miller expressed concern that the agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may not have adhered to established protocols during the incident.
Federal Agents and Protocol Compliance
Miller indicated that the White House had offered unequivocal guidance to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This guidance mandated that federal agents deployed in Minnesota’s immigration operations were to safeguard arrest teams from so-called “disruptors.”
“We are evaluating why the CBP team may not have been following that protocol,” Miller stated. His remarks come as the Trump administration faced mounting backlash over the shooting.
Aftermath of the Shooting
The incident involved Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse at a veterans hospital in Minneapolis. Initial portrayals of Pretti by Miller and other administration officials labeled him as a “domestic terrorist” who had allegedly attempted to harm federal agents. This characterization lacked supporting evidence.
- Miller’s characterization of Pretti as an “assassin” ignited significant public outrage.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem echoed this sentiment, claiming Pretti had brandished a firearm.
- A video analysis by The New York Times contradicted these claims, revealing that Pretti was holding a mobile phone at the time of the confrontation.
Internal Investigations and Public Response
The internal watchdog office of CBP also found no evidence that Pretti had brandished a weapon. This discrepancy has heightened tensions within the community, further igniting protests against aggressive federal immigration tactics.
Miller noted that the DHS’s preliminary conclusions regarding Pretti’s death were based on reports from agents involved in the incident. Public anger has been exacerbated by ongoing comments from the Trump administration that have justified the fatal shooting.
Amidst this turmoil, President Trump commented on the situation, suggesting a potential de-escalation of the immigration campaign, but simultaneously making inflammatory remarks about attendees at an Iowa rally. He described many arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as “hardened criminals,” perpetuating the narrative of violence that critics contest.
Conclusion
The killing of Alex Pretti has sparked a significant response from both public figures and citizens alike. Ongoing investigations into the actions of federal agents and the protocols they followed are crucial as community members demand accountability and justice.
